THE managing director of Coniston Hotel and Spa at Coniston Cold will go on trial in September accused of causing the death of a 66-year-old guest by driving without care and attention.

Nicholas Bannister, 64, of Bell Busk, denied the charge at a Bradford Crown Court hearing last October and yesterday (Wednesday) he attended the court again for a further pre-trial hearing before Judge Jonathon Rose.

Bannister was charged after Baildon grandmother Judith Wadsworth suffered fatal injuries when she was allegedly hit by Bannister’s Range Rover in the Coniston Hotel car park on the evening of February 7, 2020.

The trial, which is due to start on September 11, is expected to last about four days.

A preliminary inquest hearing heard that Mrs Wadsworth suffered head and chest injuries in the collision and died at the scene.

A family statement following her death described her as “a devoted wife, mother and grandmother” who would be missed by everyone who knew her.

“Judith was a beautiful, selfless person and no words can express our sense of loss and devastation right now,” the statement said.

During yesterday's hearing lasting about 15 minutes counsel for the prosecution and the defence discussed the progress of the case and set out a timetable.

Bannister is on unconditional bail and Judge Rose said he would next have to attend at the court for his trial.